Zipcar!!!

[sportyaccordy]

I'm saying itemise your costs as if you were driving a zipcar. Keep track of the time, and therefore the money you would spend on the program. Don't just assume that you would use the minimum.

The only thing we would use the car for is to do shopping at BJs and drop-off/pick up laundry; both of which we do twice a month max, and don't spend more than 5 hours doing each time (we usually do both together). Even if somehow that came to more than $75/mo, I doubt it would somehow go past $500/mo. Beyond that I literally have no *need* for a car; to visit family locally I would take the Long Island Railroad, to go out in  the city I would take the subway or a cab, etc. etc. So I wouldn't save the full amount, but it would def. still be cheaper, and more importantly less of a hassle than ownership.

They have a car depot about 1/2 a mile away (10 minute walk or 5 minute bike ride) so getting to them is a non-issue.

Cmon guys you are supposed to encourage financially responsible decisions!

[CALL_911]

The only thing we would use the car for is to do shopping at BJs and drop-off/pick up laundry; both of which we do twice a month max, and don't spend more than 5 hours doing each time (we usually do both together). Even if somehow that came to more than $75/mo, I doubt it would somehow go past $500/mo. Beyond that I literally have no *need* for a car; to visit family locally I would take the Long Island Railroad, to go out in  the city I would take the subway or a cab, etc. etc. So I wouldn't save the full amount, but it would def. still be cheaper, and more importantly less of a hassle than ownership.

They have a car depot about 1/2 a mile away (10 minute walk or 5 minute bike ride) so getting to them is a non-issue.

Cmon guys you are supposed to encourage financially responsible decisions!

The fucking LIRR costs an arm and a leg.

[Tave]

You spend $30-50 a month in gas to go to BJs and pick up your laundry?

That's like 300-500 miles man. I think you're overlooking a lot of the little things that would add up.

And I'm not trying to discourage you, I just wanted to encourage you to really go through everything methodically before you sell your car off and commit to it.

But hey, you know you better than I do.

[Cookie Monster]

You spend $30-50 a month in gas to go to BJs and pick up your laundry?

That's like 300-500 miles man. I think you're overlooking a lot of the little things that would add up.

And I'm not trying to discourage you, I just wanted to encourage you to really go through everything methodically before you sell your car off and commit to it.

But hey, you know you better than I do.

Maybe he just hits VTAK all the time and gets bad mpgs.

[giant_mtb]

You can use it more, you just pay more. If you don't rely on your car to get everywhere -- which you shouldn't have to in the city -- it works out financially, and puts you in a newer car than you'd otherwise be driving.

Gotchya.

[sportyaccordy]

You spend $30-50 a month in gas to go to BJs and pick up your laundry?

That's like 300-500 miles man. I think you're overlooking a lot of the little things that would add up.

And I'm not trying to discourage you, I just wanted to encourage you to really go through everything methodically before you sell your car off and commit to it.

But hey, you know you better than I do.

Up until recently I had a chipped ECU that didn't show an O2 sensor code, and the car was in need of a tune up. Plus 80% of my driving is stop + go in the city, often before the car could fully warm up. Combine those factors and it's not unreasonable to see how I'd get less than the EPA estimated 20 MPG for city driving. I also do drive with a bit of a lead foot at times (I mean I paid for the intake + exhaust, so I should be able to enjoy them!). Plus, a big chunk of the miles I drive are spent on finding parking. Like tonight, I have training at work and a GMAT class, so I get home late when everyone's parked up. It's not unusual for me to spend up to half an hour looking for parking- which would be a couple of miles of purely stop & go traffic in a car that's almost totally cold the whole time. So it's really more like $30 a month, if that. I'm not sure I fill up every month.

I recently finally did a tune up and the car drives noticeably better, so that helps.

Now I just have to get this thing sold. New windshield, detailed interior, new motor mount and maybe new tires. If I can keep all that under $500 I will get all that done. Hopefully I can find someone to buy the car for $2500... it's fun, has a good stereo/suspension/motor setup & has a lot of new parts. Body's just a little beat.

[2o6]

You can't buy a space?

[3.0L V6]

You can't buy a space?

I'd imagine a parking space in NYC would be hugely expensive.

[sportyaccordy]

I'd imagine a parking space in NYC would be hugely expensive.

Yes.

[r0tor]

10 hrs?  Whats that in new york city traffic... like a mile?

[GoCougs]

You make it sound like having a car is a necessary part of life, or you'll die!

It is, unless you're a liberal or a Canadian, and expect government to take care of you a la Katrina and/or abominable nationalized health care...

The problem is living in an area that demands $325/mo insurance for a $1,000 car.

This Zipcar idea is so uber fail it makes my head spin.

[ifcar]

It is, unless you're a liberal or a Canadian, and expect government to take care of you a la Katrina and/or abominable nationalized health care...

The problem is living in an area that demands $325/mo insurance for a $1,000 car.

This Zipcar idea is so uber fail it makes my head spin.

Suburban and rural car owners rely on the government to take care of them by building and maintaining roads. In denser areas, you rely on the government to provide public transportation, as well as on private enterprise to locate many businesses within walking distance.

In a catastrophe, the roads couldn't handle the volume of everyone trying to simultaneously drive out of NYC anyway.

[GoCougs]

But let's say there are other unplanned, short-notice trips that aren't necessarily catastrophes but are still urgent; going to the doctor, a family emergency, a sick pet, etc.

Sounds harsh, but IMO Zipcar is yet another sporty justification to live in a city that he can't afford.

[ifcar]

But let's say there are other unplanned, short-notice trips that aren't necessarily catastrophes but are still urgent; going to the doctor, a family emergency, a sick pet, etc.

Sounds harsh, but IMO Zipcar is yet another sporty justification to live in a city that he can't afford.

He said the hospital is nearby and that taxis abound for any mild emergency that you describe.

[NomisR]

But let's say there are other unplanned, short-notice trips that aren't necessarily catastrophes but are still urgent; going to the doctor, a family emergency, a sick pet, etc.

Sounds harsh, but IMO Zipcar is yet another sporty justification to live in a city that he can't afford.

Most of those would likely be within walking distances as well, and if not.. zip car would do the trick, theoretically. 

When I went to SF, I saw one of these Zip car stations and I guess in areas with high density and well distributed mass transit system, owning a vehicle is not necessary but the ability to rent one at will would be advantageous so it helps out, and he can just walk down the street to pick up the car and go.. at least in theory.

The Zip car I saw had 3 cars sitting in their spaces and that was the weekend, so I don't think it'll be that much worse.. 

[r0tor]

To be honest, i'm not a fan of these programs at all but to me it makes sense in NYC.  

I visit the place every so often and after the second time I learned to park my car in jersey and take the ferry over because having a car in NYC is just a complete pain in the ass.  Traffic is always horrendous.  MOst of the time the faster way to get somewhere is by walking or using the subway.  There is ALWAYS a problem parking no matter where you go... I've even run into quality hotels that leave the parking up to you to figure out.  You want to take your car and drive to an attraction across time - plan on spending a good 1-2 hours finding a parking spot plus paying $20-30 an hour AND giving your keys to some seedy looking individual.

If I was living in the city and liked driving out of the city every once in a while I'd actually look into some garage space outside the city that has easy train/subway/buss/fairy access.


From my experiences, parking in Philly, Balitmore, DC, Pittsburgh, and Boston were seldom ever a problem compared to frikkin NYC.

[SVT666]

But let's say there are other unplanned, short-notice trips that aren't necessarily catastrophes but are still urgent; going to the doctor, a family emergency, a sick pet, etc.

Sounds harsh, but IMO Zipcar is yet another sporty justification to live in a city that he can't afford.

Have you ever been to NYC?  If there was ever a city I could actually see myself not needing a car, it's NYC. 

[giant_mtb]

10 hrs?  Whats that in new york city traffic... like a mile?

[GoCougs]

Uh, guys, he doesn't live in Manhattan. The outer Burroughs aren't light years better WRT car ownership, but indeed better.

And yes, I've been to a few of the Burroughs and have stayed in Manhattan.

[NomisR]

Uh, guys, he doesn't live in Manhattan. The outer Burroughs aren't light years better WRT car ownership, but indeed better.

And yes, I've been to a few of the Burroughs and have stayed in Manhattan.

But public transportation is still better than the majority of the country which can eliminate the need for a car.

[sportyaccordy]

Uh, guys, he doesn't live in Manhattan. The outer Burroughs aren't light years better WRT car ownership, but indeed better.

And yes, I've been to a few of the Burroughs and have stayed in Manhattan.

Cougs, who's opinion on living in NYC would you value more... a dude who has lived here continuously in 3 boroughs for 25 years or a guys who visited a few times?

As I already said, cabs are quick, the hospital is basically down the block, family is a 40 minute train ride away, etc. Having a car here is a more of a sacrifice than not having one.

And as far as my finances, my gf just got us a 10% reduction on our rent. That, coupled with a reduction of about $400 a month in car related expenses brings my total living expenses down to a little under 40% of my take home... and that's counting everything: food, gym membership, alcohol + going out etc... so affordability is def not an issue. Getting rid of the car is more of an issue of freeing up time and not having to have more shit to deal with.

I am the only person I know in my social circle who doesn't drive to work, but has a car. It just doesn't make sense.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Cougs, who's opinion on living in NYC would you value more... a dude who has lived here continuously in 3 boroughs for 25 years or a guys who visited a few times?

As I already said, cabs are quick, the hospital is basically down the block, family is a 40 minute train ride away, etc. Having a car here is a more of a sacrifice than not having one.

And as far as my finances, my gf just got us a 10% reduction on our rent. That, coupled with a reduction of about $400 a month in car related expenses brings my total living expenses down to a little under 40% of my take home... and that's counting everything: food, gym membership, alcohol + going out etc... so affordability is def not an issue. Getting rid of the car is more of an issue of freeing up time and not having to have more shit to deal with.

I am the only person I know in my social circle who doesn't drive to work, but has a car. It just doesn't make sense.

Scooter!

[sportyaccordy]

Scooter!

I should get a Swift. I could just bring it up stairs and park it in the closet.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I should get a Swift. I could just bring it up stairs and park it in the closet.

All my my cars are always for sale, for the right price

[Cookie Monster]

All my my cars are always for sale, for the right price

I'll give you $20 for it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'll give you $20 for it.

That is the wrong price.

[NomisR]

That is the wrong price.

$21?

[Rupert]

$15?

[Rupert]

It is, unless you're a liberal or a Canadian, and expect government to take care of you a la Katrina and/or abominable nationalized health care...

The problem is living in an area that demands $325/mo insurance for a $1,000 car.

This Zipcar idea is so uber fail it makes my head spin.

What? No, it's just paranoid to think that if you don't have a car, you'll die!

[GoCougs]

Cougs, who's opinion on living in NYC would you value more... a dude who has lived here continuously in 3 boroughs for 25 years or a guys who visited a few times?

As I already said, cabs are quick, the hospital is basically down the block, family is a 40 minute train ride away, etc. Having a car here is a more of a sacrifice than not having one.

And as far as my finances, my gf just got us a 10% reduction on our rent. That, coupled with a reduction of about $400 a month in car related expenses brings my total living expenses down to a little under 40% of my take home... and that's counting everything: food, gym membership, alcohol + going out etc... so affordability is def not an issue. Getting rid of the car is more of an issue of freeing up time and not having to have more shit to deal with.

I am the only person I know in my social circle who doesn't drive to work, but has a car. It just doesn't make sense.

The car you have now is not ideal; you need something that you don't think about, like a used Civic. But it seems like you've weighed the options as you see them, but me personally I wouldn't do it nor recommend it.